As the consequences of the misuse of natural resources become more apparent, so too does the need for an architecture that finds beauty in ethical and sustainable integration with our natural and social environments. Drawing on over fifty years of architectural practice, the three founders of elemental continue a tradition directly inherited from such Modernist luminaries as Marcel Breuer, John Hejduk and pioneering sustainable architect Richard Stein.
From this vantage, elemental regards sustainable architecture without novelty and as integral to design. Sustainable architecture has always been needed and has always been practiced. The first south facing cave dwelling, the thermal mass of the pueblo wall, and the diaphaneity allowed by the gothic arch all demonstrate a tradition of sustainable architecture as true architecture.
That these advances were born from necessity should not have us regard their sustainability as supplemental or moot with the advent of the industrial age. Consider that architectural decisions now affect more than one-third of total energy use in the United States alone.
From this vantage, elemental regards sustainable architecture without novelty and as integral to design. Sustainable architecture has always been needed and has always been practiced. The first south facing cave dwelling, the thermal mass of the pueblo wall, and the diaphaneity allowed by the gothic arch all demonstrate a tradition of sustainable architecture as true architecture.
That these advances were born from necessity should not have us regard their sustainability as supplemental or moot with the advent of the industrial age. Consider that architectural decisions now affect more than one-third of total energy use in the United States alone.
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We tend to think of indigenous Sardinian construction as robust and direct although not particularly refined.
This is due in large part to the widely published images of nuraghi, the stone towers that gave name to the Nuragic Era.
There is, however, another archetypal form of masonry from the Nuragic Era.
This is the precisely cut stonework of the pozzi saccri (sacred wells).
This is due in large part to the widely published images of nuraghi, the stone towers that gave name to the Nuragic Era.
There is, however, another archetypal form of masonry from the Nuragic Era.
This is the precisely cut stonework of the pozzi saccri (sacred wells).
The 'elements of architecture' presents images of our built and planned work as well as specific observations of the conditions that affect how we interact and shape our surroundings.
The concepts within these images, whether directly architectural or not, inform the work of elemental and address the interrelationship between our human experience and the built and natural environments.
Images with dates show work listed on the elemental project list or other projects of the elemental founders.
The concepts within these images, whether directly architectural or not, inform the work of elemental and address the interrelationship between our human experience and the built and natural environments.
Images with dates show work listed on the elemental project list or other projects of the elemental founders.
Carl Stein's article in Renewable Energy World North America 'Defining Renewable' segment is available in print and for download now.
As Carl concludes: With remarkable shortsightedness, we have come to believe that the petroleum-era paradigm which was made possible by the availability of plentiful, cheap energy represents the natural order.
As construction continues, efforts to utilize the original schist stone entry ramp wall that was recently unearthed continue to make progress.
The event sparked an effective and engaging dialogue about the sustainable future of the SUNY campus.
As Carl concludes: With remarkable shortsightedness, we have come to believe that the petroleum-era paradigm which was made possible by the availability of plentiful, cheap energy represents the natural order.
As construction continues, efforts to utilize the original schist stone entry ramp wall that was recently unearthed continue to make progress.
The event sparked an effective and engaging dialogue about the sustainable future of the SUNY campus.
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